Orchard of Flavours - Pomar dos Sabores — Attraction in Tavira

So many different fruits we had never heard of: this is a botanical garden with a difference!

We visited while on holiday in the Algarve from the UK, and we are so happy we did! Miguel and Milan greeted us warmly, and shared so much of their expert knowledge of plants, fruit trees and food production with us!

The Orchard is a living edible world of wonder, you are invited to sample fruit from all over the world. Our visit was not only interesting, it was delicious too!

What makes this place extra special is the importance for our changing climate. Miguel, the founder, has found plants from all over the globe that can flourish in different conditions that they experience here in Southern Europe; like drought tolerant, hot and cold temperatures. They are also undertaking experiments to explore the importance of soil preparation, something we would have never thought about!

Another advantage of The Orchard is that you make an appointment to visit, and you can select either a self-guided or private tour, which makes for an extra special personalised experience. There is also a lovely shaded area where you can sit and enjoy a drink of tea, coffee and water, or even bring your own picnic!

Close by is a living work of art that you can add to: a Wish Tree. Write a message on a wooden leaf and add to the tree for others to read and enjoy in the years to come.

The work being done here is not only amazing in the true sense of the word, but also hugely inspirational for all of us to understand more about how and where our food is grown. As one of the quotes posted in the Orchard says: "The most radical act you can commit is to grow your own food" (Bill Mollinson)

We left the Orchard of Flavours with food in our bellies, and even more food for thought in our brains!

Check out the website, make an appointment, you won't be...

Discover the Orchard of Flavours – A Living Laboratory of Sustainability Near Tavira

Today, my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting the Orchard of Flavours, a remarkable horticultural project just outside Tavira. This evolving initiative is home to hundreds of plant species, all being trialled for their ability to thrive in the Algarve’s climate – including the region’s increasingly unpredictable and arid conditions.

Our interest in the project came from two directions: my wife, an avid gardener with a passion for edible and biodiverse plants, and myself, a physicist intrigued by the scientific approach being taken to assess plant sustainability in the face of climate change.

We were warmly welcomed by Milan and Miguel Cotton, the visionary founder of the project, who generously shared his deep knowledge and infectious enthusiasm. Miguel spoke candidly about the journey so far – the successes, the setbacks, and the ongoing learning process. What he has created is far more than a garden; it’s a living experiment and an inspiring example of practical environmental stewardship.

The Orchard of Flavours is a rare gem – a place where science, sustainability, and a love for plants come together in a meaningful and forward-thinking way. Whether you’re a gardener, a botanist, or simply someone curious about how we can adapt to a changing world, a visit here is both thought-provoking and uplifting.

This project deserves support and recognition. For anyone interested in tropical and subtropical plants, sustainable agriculture, or the real-world effects of climate change on our environment, the Orchard of Flavours is an essential destination in...

Centre of Excellent in the Algarve

When I signed up for the Food Forest & Island of Fertility Workshop, I knew very little about the Orchard of Flavours. I was therefore unprepared for such an outstanding experience. I felt warmly welcome by the Orchard of Flavours team and the speakers, Miguel and Luis, had the audience captivated by their holistic mission to develop and disseminate knowledge about how to grow mini food forests in ecologically restorative and climate-adapted ways. The depth and breadth of their knowledge was evident in the numerous mini-forests they showed us on the site. It was astonishing to see how quickly the plants had become established and begun yielding, and how they could be grown to help one another. Miguel and Luis detailed the numerous factors to take into consideration – how to understand and prepare soils, the importance of each plant’s ‘childhood’ period, various ways to optimise water usage, nitrogen capture, and much more. I came away from this workshop greatly inspired to begin testing some of this new knowledge on a small scale. Participating in the workshop also enables one to join an online community of others who are embarking on similar efforts. And with such an impressive Centre of Excellence as Orchard of Flavours nearby, I’d feel well supported in trying my hand at growing a...